Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday was an emotional day for the school, the Sudan-born students and their supporters as the IHSA declared the students eligible for athletics. School officials said their education was never in jeopardy.
While the overwhelming sentiment among some, regarding four South Sudanese students at Mooseheart and their ruling of ineligibility by the Illinois High School Association was “let them play” — to the young men themselves, there was another issue more central: “Can we stay?” And to that, Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart had a simple and emphatic response; the same response he would have given any of the other 210 boys and girls currently on-campus: Yes. Hart reiterated that statement late Monday evening when discussing the early-evening decision by the IHSA Board of Directors to reverse the ineligibility decree from IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman — and to allow Mangisto Deng, Wal Khat, Akim Nyang and Makur Puou to be …
Monday, December 10, 2012
"We will act upon the IHSA ruling as a learning experience," Scott Hart said. Here's his full statement.
Update: Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart's full statement has been added to the top of this story. The specific conditions that Mooseheart have to meet to be released from IHSA probation are in italics after the statement. The IHSA Board of Directors took appropriate action yesterday when it overturned a decision by the IHSA Executive Director and reinstated the interscholastic athletic eligibility of the four Mooseheart students from South Sudan. These young men - Mangisto Deng, Makur Puou, Akim Nyang and Wal Khat - entered Mooseheart seeking an education and a chance for a better life, not only for themselves, but for their home communities and country where they plan to return. The ruling now allows the young men the opportunity…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Mooseheart Child City gets a temporary restraining order following the IHSA ruling that makes four Sudanese students ineligible.
A Kane County judge has granted a temporary restraining order that will allow four South Sudanese students to play basketball for Mooseheart until an IHSA hearing on Dec. 10. Judge David Akemann said three students could play basketball for the Red Ramblers in games on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a news release from Mooseheart. The Sudanese players helped secure a 53-21 Mooseheart victory Tuesday against Westminster Christian. “I am definitely pleased with Judge Akemann’s ruling (Tuesday) with the restraining order,” Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart said. “It’s a small victory and we appreciate the ability to let the boys continue to play until we have a full hearing before the IHSA Board of Directors.” The Illinois High …
MTK
3:34 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Well said, Moosheart has done nothing wrong, had they then these boys would not be playing ball. The IHSA is just saving face. more ›